Hi all, I ride in a snaffle which works well for my guy as he neck reigns and likes very light contact , but the rig I got with him has chain under the reins on the rings but the thing just flaps around and I wonder if I even need it with the o- ring snaffle. So... Do I need to use the curb chain with this bit?

tinyliny

05-06-2012 11:21 PM

that is a chin strap, not a curb chain. it is meant to keep the bit from going through his mouth if you pulled quite a lot on one side. it conveys no leverage at all and does nothing most of the time. If you aren't direct reining, you don't need it and could remove it without a problem.

RyeDING4me

05-07-2012 01:44 AM

Oh, thank you. I think I'm just going to take off, it seems to just be annoying. So, what's a curb chain?

iridehorses

05-07-2012 07:29 AM

If he was using a leverage bit, the curb chain is attached to the rings on the purchase side (side that attaches to the headstall). It is meant to go under his chin and as the bit is pulled back, it interacts with his chin to give leverage to the bit. Sometimes there will be a second strap or chain by the reins which is a hobble strap meant to keep the shafts of the bit from separating too much.

A strap on a snaffle is meant to keep the bit from being pulled through a horse's mouth and is usually reserved for horses that are green so that if you need to give more then normal contact to turn him, you can't pull the bit through.